Cycling Tours

Whiz past the sights and explore a new destination on two wheels with a cycling tour, offering travelers an outdoor escape and new adventurous way to sightsee and take in breathtaking scenery. Travel companies around the globe offer guided tours designed for all levels of biking skill, from the Tour de France wannabe to the easy rider.

VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations offers small-group bicycling tours in cities in the United States, Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Peru, Vietnam, South Africa and China. Through Oct. 15, travelers can save $200 on the company’s new itineraries for 2015, including 12-day Cycling South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route, with stops to share a home-cooked dinner with locals and a visit to an ostrich farm; 10-day La Bella Toscana: Lucca, Montecatini and Pisa, with cycling along a picturesque route to Lake Massaciuccoli and stops for local food; and six-day Colonial Virginia: Riding the Road to Independence, exploring American history with stops to check out historic sites and enjoy award-winning wines and southern Chesapeake cuisine. Use of a customized bicycle and helmet are provided as well as all accommodations, most meals, guided sightseeing and unique cultural activities.

Pure Adventures offers trips for avid cyclists who want a relaxing yet challenging outdoor escape. The company recently launched new cycling tours in the Western United States with its newest travel concept, Supported Self Directed, a style of travel that blends guided and self-guided tours. SSD trips are offered this fall across California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah and allow riders to enjoy cycling routes at their own pace and freedom, with support such as detailed route notes, daily briefing, top-quality bicycles, luggage and gear transfers, lodging, access to a daily bike mechanic and checkpoints every 30–45 minutes with water and snacks.

Adventure Travel Group offers guided bicycle tours in France, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Chile, Argentina, Colorado and Canada designed for cyclists who enjoy challenging routes. Designed for groups of 16 or less guests, the tours include overnight accommodations in smaller inns and hotels that reflect the uniqueness of each region and four-course meals with wine.

For cyclists who prefer luxury travel, Trek Travel creates cycling experiences of a lifetime in picturesque locations around the world. In addition to overnight accommodations in the best hotels in each region and most meals, each trip also includes extras such as cultural events, discounts on bike purchases, special Trek jerseys or arm warmers and socks, a dedicated travel coordinator and exclusive events.